I am TTS US9.5D.
I am US9D in AE's Jefferson (AE's 5 last is its longest last, and probably its most narrow, so I size down 1/2 size from TTS).

I am 9/9.5D in EG's 202. EG's D width is slightly more narrow than its regular E width, and many would characterize EG's D width as being inbetween a US C width and a US D (regular) width, a C+ if you will.
In my experience with various EG models and last, I have never gone down more than 1/2 size from my US size. I can and do wear EG's E width as well.

You reckon I could grab an EG 8/8.5E if my TTS is USD9D, yes? Are the EG sizes for the 202 last meant to have a lot of toe room, or are they meant to fit perfectly?

Right now my US9D AE Jefferson has a ridiculous amount of toe room, but somehow my feet fit well and I'm not sliding around inside.

JoeGat, at least 6 of us have recently placed an order through a Styleforum affiliate for a Galway MTO similar to Namor's. So I gladly accept your challenge and will keep you posted on the results in a few months when we receive the boots.

I hope we don't experience any problems but will keep you posted. This is my first pair of EGs and I am excited to wear them when they arrive.

Lol who is attacking you personally? Maybe there are other threads or PM's I haven't seen, but the worst I've read is someone accusing you of having an axe to grind, which (a) doesnt sound like a personal attack to me, and (b) isn't an entirely unjustified comment given the aggressive way you're spreading the word about EG having shit quality.

Before you aim some kind of violent overreaction at me, let me say that I appreciate you coming forward with your experiences, and I feel like I'm a more informed EG consumer for reading them. I just feel you should take this forum more in stride, especially the criticism and disbelief in your opinions. You're not going to convince everyone, that's just how forum life is

I am part of the Galway order too and it is MTO, It does not come with lasted shoe trees will keep you updated.

I am kind of surprised how adamant is JoeGat that EG MTO shoes do not include lasted shoe trees. I have bought a couple of RTW EG shoes that came with lasted shoe trees especially for last 82 and 888, Leffot sells EG lasted shoe trees 82 and 888 are the same and 606 and 202 lasted shoe trees are the same. Since EG produces MTO on one of the standard lasts I would surprised that EG would not put appropriate last in the shoes.

By the way the price we were quoted was for the RTW Galways because we collected the minimum 6 people to order these shoes.

Curious, bengal, what's your opinion on how much information can be inferred when we know about where something is made? I've heard differing opinions on this. Some say that a certain level of quality can be trusted, while others insist that the same factory can make such varying levels of goods (and use such different qualities of materials), that one should be careful about reading too much into these things. I'm assume this might be different from factory to factory, but do you have an opinion?

Depends on the factory really...if you think about what separates a good shoe from a bad one it's only attention to detail (finishing capabilities, quality of craftsmanship etc.) and leather quality. So any factory can get any leather so long as they are willing to buy it, so that just leaves the craftsmanship of the workers and whether or not they can do hand work. For example, Cheaney can do quite a varying level of shoe, something that I believe to be of quite low quality all the way up to their new Imperial collection which I find to be near a C&J handgrade and obviously everything in between......And then to top it off, it will depend on who is doing quality control. So you could find that a brand could have their shoes done by a factory that otherwise peddles garbage but makes them create a quality product based on all of their specifications..... I also find that Italian factories tend to be a bit more varying, where they will create and sell garbage for the sake of money but could also make a very nice shoe if they tried....English factories I believe are a bit more strict in what they will produce.... I hope that this answered your question...

Your arguments might be more compelling if you failed down the hyperbole and paid more attention to what people write. CHRK33 says that there is a six-person MTO for Galways. You skim over that post or misread what he says and state that RTW EG's are fine, the problem is in the quality of their MTO's. it is sort of like talking over people, which no one likes. Secondly, Farhad16920 says he has had no major problems over a twenty year span. You misread this as he bought a pair twenty years ago when EG quality was better.

I am all for a proper discussion of how flawed EG may be. But your whinging about people questioning what you say as personal attacks combined with your lack of attention to what others write could be construed as rude and petulant.

Your offer to fund a high dollar challenge may be genuine but on an internet sight might be viewed as hollow. I am not saying you are not genuine in your intent but measure what you say based on where you are saying it.

A more realistic challenge may be to secure the other horrid MTO off your friend who is giving them away for postage only and give them to a like-sized SF member for assessment and review who would gladly pay the postage. Not me as they are not my size.

I bought two models; one on the last 82 and the other on the last 888. They both came with the same shoe trees. My understanding is that last 82 and 888 are in the same family except for the toe. I do not know much about the design of shoe trees but of shoe is the same volume, arch, etc all same except for the toe shape then would it be possible to have one shoe tree that fits the both models. I do not know. I am not taking positions either for yes or no. Just asking question I am curious about this. I have not had opportunity to handle any shoe trees from any other makers.
I know AS sells shoe trees for each exclusive last. Do not shoot all I am doing is asking questions.
That MTO Galway in not scheduled until late June so do not expect speedy update on this.

I have lasted trees for my JL models. For my EG models, I do not have lasted trees - and I have typically used Alden cedar shoe trees for them. My EG models have suffered none for it.

Obviously EG shouldn't say they provide lasted trees if they in fact do not. That is bald-faced lying. Having said that, a person with high quality shoes who happens not to have lasted trees should lose no sleep over it.